The end of a great saga? Rafael Leão has reportedly agreed a new contract with AC! Lille also contributed to the deal

In the last few hours, the well-known football server Football Italia has reported that Rafael Leão has reportedly agreed a new contract with AC Milan. The great transfer saga should therefore finally, and above all to the joy of all the fans of the Italian giant, be over.

The fact that, according to new reports, it will ultimately be Lille who will pay Sporting Lisbon a fine of €20 million was a significant contributor to the deal. This stems from Leão’s decision to unilaterally terminate his contract in the summer of 2018 following an attack by the club’s ultras and subsequently move to Lille.

It was from the French club that the Rossoneri poached the Portuguese winger in August 2019, sending almost €30 million to Lille for him at the time.

How was it all?

Sporting then took the whole case to court, which ruled in January 2021 that Leão must pay the aforementioned fine out of his own pocket.

In February 2022, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that it should be Lille who would pay the maximum fine to the Lisbon outfit. However, in May of that year, the Milan court said that the payment of the damages belonged to Leão.

That is, until the twist that occurred in the last few dozen hours. According to the Portuguese media, Lille has accepted its commitment and will send the 20 million to Lisbon. Leão has been offered a mortgage whereby 20% of his salary will be deducted monthly to satisfy Sporting Lisbon.

The new contract

AC’s management is thus practically free at last to offer the Almada native the expected salary. According to the new terms, Leão should earn five million euros net per season, plus another two million in bonuses.

Under the previous agreement, the Portuguese super talent was paid just under €1.8 million. Everything should be officially confirmed in the coming days, this is an absolutely crucial signing for the Rossoneri.

After all, Leão was one of the key aspects of why AC won the Scudetto again after eleven years last season. He was also voted the best player of 2022 in Italy. In the red and black jersey, he has so far featured in 151 competitive games, in which he has scored 38 goals and added 31 assists.

Football Italia, Calciomercato, Transfermarkt